July 2004 NCCBI News

Executive Committee Reaffirms Goals

Members of the Executive Committee huddled over computers at IBM’s state-of-the-art decision support center in Research Triangle Park to brainstorm ideas for the association’s near future. The purpose of the meeting was the review and update the four agenda priorities set last year for NCCBI — government efficiency, tax reform, economic development and membership services.

At the end of the all-day session on June 9, Chair Barry Eveland declared the event a success. “I am grateful that all these busy people gave up a day of their time to work with the NCCBI staff to set our goals for the next year,” Eveland said.

Eveland contributed the use of IBM’s high-tech conference facility for the meeting. Executive Committee members sat around a table, each with an IBM Thinkpad computer. All the computers were tied to a central monitor, where comments typed in by the group were displayed on screen and discussed. Participating in the idea session were First Vice Chair Stephen Miller of Asheville, Second Vice Chair Graham Denton of Charlotte and several other Executive Committee members: Duke Power’s Ellen Ruff of Charlotte; Sara Lee executive Jerry Cook of Winston-Salem; former chair John McNairy of Kinston; Capel Rug’s Mary Clara Capel of Troy; restauranteur R.V. Owens of Nags Head; Robert Stolz of Hardwood Lumber in Charlotte; developer Steve Stroud of Raleigh; publisher Jordy Whichard of Greenville; hospital executive Paul Wiles of Winston-Salem; and former chair Smedes York of Raleigh.

“NCCBI has greatly benefited from the active involvement of our volunteer leadership,” said President Phil Kirk, who helped lead the computer-driven idea session.



Kirk addresses graduates: “Business people tell me frequently that they are looking for employees who can work together, people who can get along with each other, and people who can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing,” NCCBI President Phil Kirk told the graduating class at East Rowan High School on May 28.

“It is through co-operation, not conflict, that you will achieve your greatest successes.” Kirk, a graduate of East, said, “You can do anything you wish to do, have anything you wish to have, and be anything you wish to be. You don’t know what you can really do until you try. All you have to do is to act on your dreams.”

He encouraged the seniors at East and also during a baccalaureate speech to Enloe High School students in Raleigh to “use your ability. Don’t let life be a passive experience. Take the time to reach out to those in need. Take the time to serve others. Stand up for what you believe in and become a volunteer.”



Report Tracks Higher Ed Bonds: A progress report has been published that gives a comprehensive update on the 2000 Higher Education Bond Referendum, which was passed overwhelmingly nearly four years ago under NCCBI’s leadership. The referendum authorized $3.1 billion — the largest capital bond issue for higher education in U.S. history — to benefit the state’s public universities and community colleges. The report, Responding to a New Imperative, released by the North Carolina Business-Higher Education Foundation,Inc., charts the progress of the bond program to date and shows that the progress has been substantial. If you would like a copy of the report, please e-mail Debbie Mueller, NCCBI legislative assistant, at dmueller@nccbi.org.



New members: Companies that joined or rejoined NCCBI in May of this year, along with the name of the key executive at each company include: Amme & Associates Inc., Rick Amme, Winston-Salem; Blockade Runner, Mary Baggett, Wrightsville Beach; Blue Ridge Community Action, Ronnie Mace, Morganton; Cargill Inc., Jaysen Schock, Fayetteville; Charles & Colvard, Bob Thomas, Morrisville; D & B Realty Inc., Diane Honeycutt, Concord; Hanover Realty Inc., Bill Saffo, Wilmington; John Deere Commercial, Thomas Iles, Cary; John S. Clark Co., Richard Vaughan, Mount Airy; N.C. Telecommunications Industry Association, Carole Woodward, Raleigh; Office of Joanne W. Bowie, the Hon. Joni Bowie, Greensboro; Relational Technology Services, Ken Hammond, Raleigh; Simonini Builders Inc., Ray A. Killian Jr., Charlotte; Tatum CFO Partners, John Chanon, Charlotte; Vanguard Furniture Co. Inc., John N. Bray, Hickory; and Veneer Technologies, Michael Kraszeski, Newport.



McColl Honored: NCCBI Executive Committee member Louise McColl received the Corporate Citizen of the Year at the eighth annual Business Awards Gala held recently at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside. Other winners who also are members of NCCBI include General Electric Nuclear Energy, the Cameron School of Business 2004 Economic Development Award; UNC Wilmington Seahawk Chapter of the North Carolina World Trade Association, the Cape Fear International Business Award; and the U.S. Small Business Administration Special 2004 Business Week Award to the Small Business and Technology Development Center at UNC Wilmington. NCCBI President Phil Kirk served as honorary chair and master of ceremonies for the event.



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